Mechanical door stop means



Oct. 8, 1963 w. F. KNAPP MECHANICAL Doon s'roP MEANS Filed May 4, 1962 2Sheets-Sheet 1 FVG. .1.

INVENTOR. W/LL /4/14 E K/VP/D,

3,106,418 MECHANICAL DOOR STOP MEANS William Fred Knapp, 908 WandaDrive, Bossier City, La. Filed May 4, 1962 ser. No. 192,533

4 Claims. (Cl. 292-263) This invention relates to the general field ofthe provision of means for limiting the pivotal movement of one elementwith respect to a fixed or stationary member, and more specifically,`the instant invention pertains to the provision of means for securing adoor or closure member `for an ingress or egress opening againstinadvertent or accidental opening.

It is well-known that one of the primary causes of deaths of automobileoccupants, when in collision, results from the occupants being thrownVfrom the vehicle through doors which have been sprung open. Hence, oneorf the primary objects of this invention is to provide means in thenature of automotive door locks which is elfective to hold theautomobile `door securely closed in e NUnited States Patent, O

the event of a vehicle collision and despite any chassis or framespringing.

Another object of this invention is to provide a mechanical door stopdevice of the type which will resist the inadvertent opening of avehicle door under impact and which, at the ysame time, will permit thevehicle doo to be easily pivoted to its closed position. f

Still another object :of this invention is to provide a mechanical doorstop which will hold a door or other closure member or means at anyydesired degree of its pivotal arc of movement.

The invention has, as still another object, the provision of amechanical door stop or check whichmay be actuated by the turning ofhandle members disposed on opposite sides of the door, the `operation ofthe handle automatically releasing the locking mechanism to per-mit thedoor or closure member to be Ypivoted to an open position.

This invention contemplates, as still another object thereof, theprovision of a mechanical door stop or door check means of the typereferred to supra, wherein the means is non-complex in construction andassembly, in inexpensive to manufacture, and durable in use. Y

Other and further objects of the instant invention will become moreevident lfrom a consideration of the follow- 'ing specication when readin conjunction with the annexed'drawings, in which: u p

FIGURE `1 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a conventionalautomotive vehicle illustrating, in dotted lines, a mechanical door stopdevice constructed in accordance with this invention, the vehicle doorbeing shown in closed position; 1

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged detail cross-sectional view of the mechanicaldoor stop means, FIGURE `2 being taken substantially on the horizontalplane of line 2-2 of yFIGUR-E l, looking in the direction of the arrows,the door `and door stop shown in full lines illustrating the position ofseveral component elements of the stop when the door is'in itsclosedposition, and the dotted.- line positionof the same beingillustratedwhen the door is moved to its open position; j

FIGURE 3 ris an enlarged detail side elevational .view of `the door stopmeans, FIGURE 3 being taken substantially on the vertical plane of line'3 3 of FIGURE 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged detail medial cross-sectional view of the 'doorstop means, FIGURE 4 being .taken substantially on the vertical planeofline `4 4 of FIG- URE 3, looknig in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 5 is a detail cross-sectional view, FIGURE 3,106,418 PatentedOct. V8, 1963 ICC 5 being taken substantially on the -line 5-5 of FIGURE4, looking in the direction of the arrows; and

' FIGURE 6 is a detail transverse cross-sectional view, FIGURE 6 beingtaken substantially on the horizontal plane of line 6 6 'of FIGURE-4,looking in the direction Y cludes an upright end wall 18 having anopening 20 formed therein to serve a function and purpose to bedescribed.

In accordance with conventional practice, a plurality of hinge members22 (only one being shown) pivotally support the door 12 from the bodyv24 which includes inner and outer body panels 26, 28, respectively, anda door jamb 30 adjacentV the upright end wall 18. The jamb 30 is slotted`at 32 to permit the butt end 34 of the hinge member 22 to projecttherethrough for connection at 36 with the upright end wall 18. Thehinge arm 38 is pivotally supported at 40 on the body 24 in theconventional manner. Y

The locking device 10 comprises a main substantially solid elongatedblock 42 having one of its ends drilled and tapped as at 44 to receivebolts 46 therein for mounting on the upright end wall 18. The other endof the block 42 is bored vertically at 48 and is counterbored at 50 fromthe underside thereof. The block 42, also from its underside, is formedwith a pair of inwardlyextending, longitudinally-spaced slots 52 whichalso open into van adjacent side thereof.

Mounted for reciprocation in the bore 48 and counterbore 50 is a shaft54, and the lower end 54A :of the shaft is necked down. Mounted on theend '54A is an annular liange 56 `disposed within the counterbore 50 andadapted for reciprocation with the shaft 54.

Extending through the slots 52 into the counterbore 50 are one of theends of a pair ofingers 58 having hubs 60. The block 42 is boredlongitudinally at 62 to receive one lend of an elongated shaft 64 .towhich the hubs 60 are xedly secured. The securing means is accomplishedby set screws 66 (see FIGURE 5).

Disposed immediately below the lingers 58 is an annular plate 68 whichsurnounds the necked down lower end p portion 54A of the shaft 54 andwhich is constantly urged into engagement therewith by means of theupper end of a helocoidal spring 70 surrounding the lower end pontion54A of the shaft 5-4. The aforementioned lower end portion is threaded,as at 72, to receive a threaded nut 74 that bears against a collar 76having a spring seat 78 `formed therein toy receive the lower end of thespring 76 therein. Obviously, the tension or compression of the spring70 is controlled through the relative positions of the collar 76 and theplate 68. Y

The outer or exterior end of the shaft 64` develops into a crank 78 tothe outer arm 80 ofjwhich is pivotally connected at 82 (see FIGURES 2and 3) one end of a lever 84. The other end of the lever `84 looselyengages within a lost-motionslot 86 formed in 'one arm of adoor-operating bellcrank lever y88. The lever 88 is connected centrallyof its ends to one end of a shaft 90, the other end of the latter beingconnected to an internal door-operating handle 92. The other arm 94 offthe bellcrank lever `88 connects through linkage 96 with the ex- 3terior door-operating mechanism 98 forming no part of the instantinvention. Sullice it to state that the mechanism is such that itsoperation will effect reciprocable movement of the linkage 96 to causethe bellcrang lever 88 to pivot.

The shaft 54, at its upper end, extends vertically above the block 42and through a centrally-apertured discoidal member y100 having anupstanding ratchet llange 102. The discoidal member 100 is secured tothe block 42 as by screws 104. The flange 102 normally is engaged by theratchet llange 106 of a cap 108 having a substantially cy-lindricalupper closure wall 110 centrally apertured at 1112 to receivetherethrough the upper necked down and threaded portion `54B of theshaft 54.

The upper end of the closure Wall 110 is formed with adiametrically-extending groove or channel 114 to receive one end of thelever 116 therein. The lever 116 is apertured adjacent one end at 118`to receive the necked down portion 54B of the shaft 54 and is heldlocked to the flipper closure wall 110 by means of -a lock nut 120. Thelever 1'16 connects through a down-turned arm 118 with one end of anloperating bar or lever 120', the other end of the latter beingpivotally connected at 122 (see FIGURE 2) to a bracket 124 lixedlysecured to the door jamb 30. As is seen, the aforementioned other end ofthe bar 120 extends for free swinging movement through the opening 20formed in the upright wall 18.

It will be understood from the foregoing specication and a considerationof the drawings that the angularity of the ratchet flanges 102, 106 issuch as to lock the door 12 against outward swinging movement unless thehandle 92 is pivoted downwardly, or the door-operating mechanism 9S isoperated through the turning of the crank 78 to effect disengagement ofthe two ratchet llanges. Actuation of either of these devices 92 or 98,respectively, causes the shaft 64 to turn in a clockwise direction,reference being made to FIGURE 5, whereby the fingers 58 lift againstthe collar 56 and in so acting, lifts the shaft 54 in the same-direct-ion. The shaft S4, when shifted vertically upwardly, causes thedisengagement of the ratchet flanges 102, 106 whereby the door 12 may befreely swung to any -desired degree of opening, and upon the release ofeither the handle 92 or the door-operating mechanism, the ratchetflanges 102, 106 re-engage under the inuence of the bias of the spring70. The door 12 is xed against further opening, but may be easily closedby pulling or pushing the same toward its normal closed position in thedirection of the angularity yof the teeth of the ratchet ilanges. Thisangularity of the ratchet teeth on the flanges 102, 106 permits theirescape against the tension of the spring 70.

The desired locking tension between the llanges 102, 106 may be easilyadjusted by moving the nut 74 upwardly or downwardly on the threadedshaft portion 72, and/.or heavier or lighter springs 70 may be easilyinstalled fthrough the simple expedient of unthreading the nut 74,moving the collar 76, and spring 70, substituting a new spring andre-installating the collar and nut and subsequently adjusting the sameto provide the desired compression or tension on the new spring.

It will be understood that the instant drawings are designed toillustrate the installation of this ldevice in the left-hand front dooror drivers door of the conventional automotive veh-icle, and thatnecessarily, the Idirection of the teeth of the ratchet ilanges 102, 106must be reversed rupon installation of the device on the opposite sideof the vehicle.

Having described and illustrated one embodiment of this invention indetail, it will be understood that the same is offered merely by way ofexample, and -that the instant invention is to be limited only by thescope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A mechanical door stop for a door pivotal about an upright axistoward and away from a door jamb, said door stop normally holding saiddoor in its closed position and comprising a substantially solid bodylixedly connected to said `door and having `a iirst ratchet llange atthe upper side thereof xedly secured thereto, a second ratchet flangesuperimposed over said rst ratchet flange and normally meshing therewithto hold said door in closed position, a lever having a pair of opposedends with one of said ends fixedly connected to said second ratchetflange and means pivotally connecting the other end of said lever withthe jamb of said door, and manually-operable means mounted on said doorand connected with said second ratchet flange to effect disconnection ofsaid second ratchet flange from said first ratchet flange whereby saiddoor may be pivoted to its open position.

2. A mechanical door stop device for holding an automobile door inclosed position against a door jamb, said door having a pair of opposedside panels and a substantially upright end panel disposed adjacent thedoor jamb, means pivotally supporting said door for movement from itsclosed position to an open position away `from said jamb, said devicecomprising an elongated substantially solid member disposed between saidpanels, means securing one end of said member to said end wall, said endwall having an opening formed therein adjacent said one end of saidmember, a substantially annular ratchet ange fixedly secured to theupper side of said member, a cylindrical ratchet flange superimposed onsaid annular ratchet flange and meshing therewith to hold said door inclosed position, a rst lever having a pair of opposed ends and havingone of its ends xedly connected to said cylindrical ratchet llange, abracket mounted on said jamb, a second lever having a pair of opposedends with an end of the latter pivotally connected with the other end ofsaid lirst lever, the other end of said second lever extending throughsaid opening and being pivotally connected to said bracket, and manuallyoperable means on said door connected with means on said member toeffect elevation and disengagement of said cylindrical ratchet ange fromsaid annular ratchet llange whereby said door may be pivoted to its openposition.

3. A mechanical door stop device for holding an automobile door inclosed position, said door having a pair of oppositely-disposed sidepanels and a substantially upright end wall disposed adjacent the jambof said door, means pivotally supporting said door on said automobilewith said end wall normally juxtaposed relative to said jamb when saiddoor is in its closed position, an elongated member disposed betweensaid side panels and having an end thereof iixedly secured to said endwall, a shaft mounted for vertical reciprocation through said memberadjacent the other end thereof, said shaft having its opposed upper andlower ends extending above and Vbelow the upper and lower sides of saidmember, an annular ratchet llange fixedly secured on said memberadjacent said other end thereof, said upper end of said shaft projectingthrough and beyond said annular flange, a substantially cylindrical capsuperimposed on said annular member, an elongated bar projectingradially away from said cylindrical cap, said bar having a pair ofopposed en ds, means lixedly connecting one end of said bar and said capwith said upper end of said shaft, said end wall havingan openingextending transversely therethrough approximate said member, a leverhaving a pair of opposed ends, means pivotally connecting one end ofsaid lever with the other end of said bar, the other end of said leverextending transversely through said opening, a bracket iixedly securedto said jamb, means pivotally connecting the other end of said lever tosaid bracket, manually-operable door-handle means connected with saidlower end of said shaft to effect vertical movement upwardly of saidshaft to disengage said cylindrical ratchet cap from said annularratchet whereby said door may be moved to its open position, andresilient means connected between said member and said lower end of saidshaft constantly biasing said ratchet cap to move in a direction towardsaid annular ratchet.

4. A mechanical door stop device for holding an automobile door inclosed position, said door having a pair of oppositely-disposed sidepanels and a substantially upright end wall disposed adjacent the jambof said door, means pivotally supporting said door on said automobilewith said end wall normally juxtaposed relative to said jamb when saiddoor is in its closed position, an elongated substantially rectangularmember disposed between said side panels and having an end thereof xedlysecured to saidl end wall, a shaft mounted for vertical reciprocationthrough said member adjacent the other end thereof, and having itsopposed upper and lower ends extending above and below the upper andlower sides of said member, an annular ratchet flange iixedly secured tosaid other end of said rectangular member and surrounding the upper endof said shaft, a cylindrical ratchet flange normally engaging andmeshing with said annular ratchet flange, an

elongated first lever having opposed ends, means fixedly connecting oneend of said first lever and said cap with said upper end of said shaft,a second lever, said second lever having one of its ends pivotallyconnected to the other end of said first lever, said end wall having anaperture extending transversely therethrough, said second lever havingthe other end thereof extending transversely through said aperture, abracket mounted on said jamb, means pivotally connecting the other endof said second lever with said bracket, said rectangular member havingan opening formed therein extending inwardly from the lower sidethereof, said lower end of said shaft reciprocating in said opening, anannular ange mounted on said lower end of said shaft for reciprocationin said bore, said rectangular member having a slot formed therein andextending inwardly from a side of said member, said slot opening intosaid bore, an elongated shaft rotatably mounted in said block and havingan end thereof projecting laterally from said other end thereof, a pairof fingers having one of their respective ends fixedly secured to saidlast-named shaft, the other ends of said ngers projecting through saidslot and into said opening below said annular flange, an annular platemounted on said lower end of said first shaft, said plate spanning saidbore, a helicoidal spring mounted on said lower end of said rst shaftand having one of its respective ends bearing against said annularplate, a spring seat mounted on said lower end of said first shaft andseating the other end of said helicoidal spring therein, means mountedon said lower end of said first shaft for adjusting the position of saidseat axially of said shaft t0 adjust the tension of said spring, saidprojecting end of said second shaft terminating in a crank arm, andlinkage means connecting said Y crank with the handle of'said doorwhereby actuation of said handle causes said second shaft to rotateforcing said fingers to pivot upwardly to disengage the cylindricalratchet from said annular ratchet whereby said door may be moved to itsopen position.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 387,738Scarborough Aug. 14, 1888 411,557 Scarborough Sept. 24, 1889 447,986Ware Mar. 10, 1891 Y 942,310 Daly Dec. 7, 1909 1,738,381 Matthews Dec.3, 1929 FOREIGN PATENTS 10,726 Great Britain 1901 384,631 Great BritainDec. 8, 1932

1. A MECHANICAL DOOR STOP FOR A DOOR PIVOTAL ABOUT AN UPRIGHT AXISTOWARD AND AWAY FROM A DOOR JAMB, SAID DOOR STOP NORMALLY HOLDING SAIDDOOR IN ITS CLOSED POSITION AND COMPRISING A SUBSTANTIALLY SOLID BODYFIXEDLY CONNECTED TO SAID DOOR AND HAVING A FIRST RATCHED FLANGE AT THEUPPER SIDE THEREOF FIXEDLY SECURED THERETO, A SECOND RATCHET FLANGESUPERIMPOSED OVER SAID FIRST RATCHET FLANGE AND NORMALLY MESHINGTHEREWITH TO HOLD SAID DOOR IN CLOSED POSITION, A LEVER HAVING A PAIR OFOPPOSED ENDS WITH ONE OF SAID ENDS FIXEDLY CONNECTED TO SAID SECONDRATCHET FLANGE AND MEANS PIVOTALLY CONNECTING THE OTHER END OF SAIDLEVER WITH THE JAMB OF SAID DOOR, AN MANUALLY-OPERABLE MEANS MOUNTED ONSAID DOOR AND CONNECTED WITH SAID SECOND RATCHET FLANGE TO EFFECTDISCONNECTION OF SAID SECOND RATCHET FLANGE FROM SAID FIRST RATCHETFLANGE WHEREBY SAID DOOR MAY BE PIVOTED TO ITS OPEN POSITION.